By Chris Wright

With charges, arrests and general controversy beginning to stack up, we are once again indebted to Taiwan-based media group NMA who filter out all the bull plop and present us with nothing but the clear facts using their trademark subtle blend of retina-searing imagery, dizzying overly-literal metaphors and featherlight grip on the actual incidents being discussed.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 2, 2012) US Soccer Players -- Later today, the National Hockey League will put on their annual version of what hockey would be like if it returned to an era that never really existed for professionals. The game played outdoors... with the addition of a full and modern Major League Baseball stadium.

Kill, Marry or Shag: The Liverpool Midfield - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Have you every played the game "Kill, marry or shag"? In it, one player gives his or her opponent three names it works best with celebrities. Made famous in the TV show "30 Rock", the "player" then has to hypothetically kill one, shag one and marry one.

Yeah, it's Abby Wambach. Were you expecting someone else? Image: Scott Heavey/Getty Images/Daylife

Usually we write something amusing here. Lately, our purple prose preamble has been little more than a device to divert your attention from the fact that the Women's World Cup and Copa America haven't kept us to the level of excitement we demand here.

Many electrons and much ink (which is a form of electron used mostly in the 20th century) has been dedicated to the off-the-field aspects of this weekend's match between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. It is, after all, the MLS inauguration of a rivalry which has apparently had the rest of US soccer fandom squirming with anticipation for the last year.

::: FistedAway today welcomes a guest post from Elliott, editor of the rather lovely Futfanatico :::

We are sad to report that Rafa Benitez today filed suit for legal dissolution from his current wife. Despite the cultural and legal impetus to remain linked with his lady love, Rafa's divorce petition outlined a series of grievances that rendered the situation untenable.